siping tires for RC?

[username]

anyone ever done this to crawlers?

here are a few links that talk about it, I don't think the tire store would be able to handle tires of our size, but why not try with a hobby knife right? just be sure not to cut to deep!?

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/sipe/

http://www.lesschwab.com/siping.asp

 

[Speedracer19]

You can use wire cutters (small ones) & nail clippers. Or use a Dremel tool with the sanding drum to grind down the lugs

 

[FrankyRizzo]

I use 2 dremel cutting disks stacked together.

Works well.

 

[Offroader5]

For "siping"...I'd try an Xacto knife. A new sharp blade would sipe the lugs easily.

Tire "grooving" (open up the lug spacing, or make one larger lug into two smaller lugs), then I would use the stacked cutting wheel/dremel option.

Siping really shouldn't remove material, whereas grooving does.

 

[username]

For "siping"...I'd try an Xacto knife. A new sharp blade would sipe the lugs easily.

Tire "grooving" (open up the lug spacing, or make one larger lug into two smaller lugs), then I would use the stacked cutting wheel/dremel option.

Siping really shouldn't remove material, whereas grooving does.

any method better than the other for certain conditions? aside from the obvious cutting right thru the tire, would doing either method harm performance in any way?

I was thinking of going the sipe route, seems like it would give more gripping "fingers" to the tire if i think about it.

 

[hitman46mod]

Sipping gives you extra biting edges. All you want to do is cut slices in the tread, not actually remove any material."thumbsup"

 

[Offroader5]

any method better than the other for certain conditions? aside from the obvious cutting right thru the tire, would doing either method harm performance in any way?

I was thinking of going the sipe route, seems like it would give more gripping "fingers" to the tire if i think about it.

IMO, it would really depend on the tire. If the compound is pretty hard, then siping may help to add edges for more traction. On the other hand, if the tire is of a much softer compound (for instance an M3 Proline), then it may hinder the performance if you sipe the tread blocks since it will allow the blocks to fold over much easier than before when trying to bite for traction.

 

[rugerboy]

Do it! It works well!!!

 

[stublet]

x10
siping my tires has helped me every time, even w/ panthers imo, I think the dremel is the best way to do it too"thumbsup"

 

[dirtydirtysouf]

x10
siping my tires has helped me every time, even w/ panthers imo, I think the dremel is the best way to do it too"thumbsup"

u got pics of the siped panthers?:?:

 

[stublet]

yup-

the sipes weren't very big or very many but I did notice a slight difference

 

[dirtydirtysouf]

yup-
View attachment 86230
the sipes weren't very big or very many but I did notice a slight difference

nice........i think if you groove the solid lugs it might help more

 

[CMTBronco]

Dremel

The dremel has worked the best for me.

 

[Scottish]

have done this with proline hammers and flat irons to improve there performance.

 

[psychosammi]

I used a dremel with multiple cutting disc it gives it the cleanest look and it makes a world of difference on the rocks. Makes the tires fold in more."thumbsup"

 

[fordmike65]

have done this with proline hammers and flat irons to improve there performance.

Any pics of this? I like my m2 Hammers but a little more bite would be nice"thumbsup"

 

[cannoncrawler]

Took a knife to my hammers and it helped a ton!!!! "thumbsup"

just cut the outside lugs with a sharp knife......

 

[VeryBumpy]

Did my M2 Hammers right out of the box too. From the car winter snow tires I deal with all the time, siping helps huge on slippery surfaces. Not sure if it has helped on my dry, grippy rock however cause I have no stock testing under my belt. <shrug> Got Rovers on the way anyway.

 

[ultimate_monkey]

just a bit of a side note. you will see more gains from sipeing if you go across the tire rather then with the direction of rotation or 45* too it. as far as forward movment goes or if u want more side hill grip then make your cuts in the direction the tire moves..

i fnd the best is 45* but alternate direction of your cuts on every lug,

 

[2500hdon37s]

just a bit of a side note. you will see more gains from sipeing if you go across the tire rather then with the direction of rotation or 45* too it. as far as forward movment goes or if u want more side hill grip then make your cuts in the direction the tire moves..

i fnd the best is 45* but alternate direction of your cuts on every lug,

smart guy! its like a dual purpose sipe! and it does work quite nice the softer the tire the less rubber you need to take out